I did not choose football, it chose me – Motau

SAFA Media took some time to speak to Basetsana captain and central midfielder Amogelang Motau ahead of their away leg of the 2016 U20 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Botswana.

SAFA Media took some time to speak to Basetsana captain and central midfielder Amogelang Motau ahead of their away leg of the 2016 U20 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Botswana after their 8-1 victory at home and this is what she had to say.

NM: Amo, give us a brief background of your upbringing?

AM: I grew up in the dusty streets of Limpopo in a small town called Modimolle. My mother raised me and three siblings on her own. I have two brothers and a sister but I was always the one who was interested in sports. My mother was very supportive of me playing sport but not really supportive about football at first, it took quiet sometime for her to get used to the idea of her daughter playing football but she eventually accepted it.

NM: Speaking of football how does a young pretty girl like yourself end up playing football and why?

AM: I did not choose football, football chose me, I say this because although I can’t remember how old I was when I started playing, I have vivid memories of myself in the early days of primary school playing with the boys in the streets. Football is a sacred space to me because I have learnt everything about life with a ball in between my feet. So it really just all fell in place for by the grace of God.

NM: You are part of the High Performance Centre program for women’s football; give us an idea of your daily lifestyle there?

AM: When people speak about living and breathing football in my perspective they are talking about the HPC Academy. We play and learn the theories of football everyday under the guidance of our academy coach Sheryl Botes. We attend school at the TukSports High and I am also the deputy head girl of my school. My life at the HPC is amazing and I am honoured to be part of that program.

NM: What are some of your short term goals with regards to playing football and school of course?

AM: Five years from now I want to see myself living any young girls’ dreams, playing for Banyana Banyana and I would love to study HR management or Logistics in Cape Town.

NM: What are some of your hobbies outside of football?

AM: I love to sing, I love people with beautiful voices so music is my thing. I also like playing board games. I just rock at 30 seconds*****whilst giggling****

NM: Looking at the match against Bostwana and these qualifiers, what do you want to achieve?

AM: Once again we want to come out of this upcoming match victorious because we are looking at this match as a step closer to the next round of World Cup qualifiers. We want to participate in the 2016 FIFA U20 World Cup.

NM: A short message to the South African fans back home?

AM: Firstly I would love to thank everyone for their support in our first leg match, and that they should continue to rally behind throughout the qualifiers.